A statement from the sheriff's office sent out on Wednesday said Hamilton was previously in good health and had just bought a house in southeastern Park County. He had been working to clean up sheds and out-buildings on the property.

"Based on his symptoms, medical authorities suspect Deputy Hamilton may have been exposed to Hantavirus at his recently purchased home where he may have come into contact with rodent droppings," Undersheriff Monte Gore said in a statement.

Hantavirus is present in the saliva, urine and feces of infected mice. People are infected by breathing in the virus during direct contact with rodents or from disturbing dust and feces from mice nests or surfaces contaminated with mice droppings or urine.